By STEPHANIE BEACH
Grace Episcopal Church wrote recently to thank all the wonderful people who donated items to Jubilee House in response to an article featured in the May 2 Record-Eagle.
Jubilee House opened three years ago next door to Grace Episcopal Church and allows local homeless to shower, do their laundry, use the Internet and receive mail. It is run entirely on donations and is operated by Grace Episcopal.
"The patrons and volunteers at Jubilee House and church staff are so grateful for these donations as they reduce Jubilee House expenses and further enable us to better serve those who use this community outreach facility," the letter said.
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The Child and Family Services "family" recently enjoyed a full day of thanks and congratulations.
A pancake breakfast was hosted in the morning to celebrate adoption and everyone who has been touched by this special way of creating families. Later in the afternoon, there was a party for several youth in foster care who graduated from high school this year.
Both events were hosted by Colleen and Lucas MacDonald and Mustard's Restaurant. Colleen and Lucas also are foster/adoptive parents.
"Our warmest thanks to them for opening their restaurant and their hearts to Child and Family Services," Gina Aranki wrote on behalf of the agency. "Many thanks also go out to Joan Boyd and Laura Magoon of Ace Hardware for donating Webkinz as gifts for the children, to Linda Lile (Daffie the Clown) for bringing smiles to the children's faces as they enjoyed breakfast prepared by CFS employees, and to all adoptive parents for their tireless efforts and commitment to children."
Gina also wrote with heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped celebrate the high school achievements of Child and Family Services' youth. Polly Barnes, Regina Jaeger, Tina Schelich, Ruth Quinn, Gina Ranger, Linda Sommerville, Ruth Ann Sheets, Mona Nelson, Kathy Lievense, Kathie Alford, Kathy Taylor, Brenda Kalchik, Denise Busley, Lynne Hertler, Kim Hicks, Jim Scherrer and Renee Archambo all provided gifts for the students. Linda Forward, Patty Fabian, Kris Nelson, Kathy Taylor and Denise Busley volunteered to help at the party.
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Volunteer Coordinator Carrie Ullery-Smith wrote on behalf of Habitat for Humanity-Grand Traverse Region to thank the Glen's Markets on East Eighth Street in Traverse City, at Chum's Corner and in Kalkaska and their customers for raising more than $8,000 for Habitat for Humanity through the Spartan Scan Program.
"If you're a customer of a local Glen's Market and donated to Habitat ... we cannot thank you enough," Carrie wrote. "The families we serve rely on your donations so that their dreams of home ownership can come true. HFH-GTR has been a part of this community for 22 years and we are continuously humbled by your generosity and kindness. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you."
